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Page 341
and called an apology. He was relieved to see Sir Robert climbing to his feet as he rode back out of the lists. Owain ran forward with a fresh lance.
''Send Geoffrey with my compliments to Sir Robert, the man I just unhorsed," Ian instructed quickly. "Tell Geoffrey to say that I was greatly pleased with the improvement in Sir Robert's jousting and that if he is interested in serving under me, I will have some work in hand early in the spring. Whenever he is ready, we can talk of it."
He was about to add a little morethat Geoffrey should tell the young man where they lived and when was the best time to catch Ian at home, but the heralds were calling for the king's champion again, and he had to ride out to meet the challenge. It was another young knight, and Ian unseated him on the first pass. Then there was still another, not so young this time, a jouster who had seen many tournies. Neither unseated the other, but the blows his opponent delivered hurt and numbed Ian's shield arm, which was a little tired by the repeated shocks it had taken in close sequence.
Breathing under the tight-closed tourney helm was also becoming less easy. Ian was gulping air through his mouth, and he was growing dry for a drink as the activity warmed him, so that he sweated freely. He heard the king challenged again, "for the steading of Westfield in Norfolk," and recognized the name of the challenger. Sir Thomas was no young lightweight either. Ian turned the gray horse toward the lists again, felt the lag in the animal's stride. He wondered whether he had been wise to send Geoffrey to Sir Robert. It began to seem as if he might not be in any condition to receive himor anyone else. The tip of his lance quivered, and Ian eased his grip on the shaft. He was tiring and clutching it too tightly.
Careful, Ian warned himself, careful. This man probably has a good right to what he challenges for. It was a cursed mischance that brought him up against an

 
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